Manfred WEBER

Policy topics Manfred WEBER is active on

What Manfred WEBER has said (31)

• 2026-06-17 “(09:18:11 – 09:22:37): Mister president, commissioner, counsel, dear friends, in the European parliament, 1st of all, let me pay respect to the superior presidency. I think what they delivered in the last month is remarkable under the leader of Nikos Cristo Dollidis and also the team represented by you. So thank you so much. You can be proud about this, and Zabrisk can be proud about this. Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, we are living in a moment of time where people feel huge fundamental changes. It's crisis times and people asking us for 1 thing and that is to provide security. Our Europe must be a Europe that protects our citizens. And it starts economically. This, the question of the Chinese, economic power in this moment of time. We have an and trade deficit with China which, comes to €1,000,000,000 a day, €360,000,000,000 a year. That is a trade deficit, that is simply unacceptable. China is floating European markets with their overcapacities, and that has to stop. We, as European People's Party, we stand for free trade. No doubt about this. But we need, as commissioner said it already, reciprocity, public procurement. When we finance with EU funds investments, it's not understandable why Chinese are benefiting from this if we do not have the same principle in China. We need a level playing field. We have to do this WTO based. No doubt about this. But we have to tell the Chinese that subsidies are not part of fair trade. We have to be also clear on our sovereignty when it is about critical networks. The next development on 6 g network in Europe should be only European network. We have to be sovereign on these issues. And we have to ask also the business sector that please stop naivety when it is about intellectual property rights, when it is about the question of Taiwan. Please be aware that things can fundamentally change. These are the, considerations when it is about China. And yesterday, we voted on The US deal here in this house. Thanks god. We have now clarity, predictability for our business. That's also a chance to restart now. And the e g 7 meeting in Evian gives us a a chance for this to restart the kind of an economic NATO thinking that together with the Americans, we should think about how to answer the economic model of China. There is a global question in front of us, and I want to reconnect with our American friends. Dear friends, that is all embedded in the question of competitiveness because on the other hand, we have to see that China is a strong competitor. So that's why it's not only about protecting ourselves, but also standing up and investing in competitiveness on European level. The 2nd issue I want to mention when it is about protecting ourselves is the external security, and there, enlargement contributes to our external security. Yesterday, dear friends, it was impressive to see that the president of Montenegro, when we speak so much about details of legislation here in the South, he speaks about freedom, about history, about being part of Europe. And these ideas of such a country like Montenegro, of leaders like the president of the country of Montenegro, this new thinking about Europe, this fundamental thinking about what Europe really means is so important for all of us. That's why congratulation also to the Western Balkan Summit, which was a success. No doubt about this. Also, Moldova, Ukraine, we have now the chapters open. Thanks to the TISA government, the EPP government in Hungary. We have opened it now. And I want to pay also respect to Mayas Sando because what they are doing in Moldova against the Russian propaganda to show brave leadership is really impressive, and I dream about a 29 by '29 that they really can join the European Union in the next upcoming years. And for Ukraine, 1 message is also clear, that for Ukraine, it's not anymore only a burden. Your Ukraine becomes more and more an asset for the European Union, especially on the defense issues. So bringing Ukraine close to us is an investment in our security. Ladies and gentlemen, that is on the table for the council, and we see positive momentum in this moment of time. I want to close with the message that if we want to keep the Europe we love, we must build a Europe that protects. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with China · Chinese clean tech competition: trade barriers and investment caps vs. open market
• “That's not my style of doing things. I just ask the question, and probably you can also clarify from the socialists whether you want to go further with the cooperation with aura in the future. And the second thing I want to mention is because we still have positive news, we still have very positive news. And that is that we saw the young people in the streets of Budapest a few weeks ago where they were telling the audience, the public. Russia out and we are Europeans. I was myself two years ago in Budapest. Welcome to the party inside of our PPE team. A great moment that they repaid. Now the trust we invested into them. That's great to see that together with our friends, really won back Hungarian votes and people for a pro-European approach. We are proud about this and we see the first results. Now is a 90 billion being now released and being now ready to be transformed towards the Ukrainian friends and the populists and extremists in Europe lost their spin doctor. So the Putin's puppets, those who are defending Chinese and Russian and other interests in the European Council and other formats have lost their leader. That is great good news for all of us, dear colleagues. We won. Slogans are not anymore. Winning solutions are winning Europe and future solutions won in Hungary. Thank you for the friends for this success story.”
  EU-Ukraine relations
• “Madam president of the European Parliament, dear Commissioner Tzitzikostas, president Christodoulides. Dear Nikos, a very warm welcome here in the European Parliament. Good to have you among us. And welcome to the Cypriot presidency of the Council. Cyprus is a key member of the European Union with a great history. It was the starting point for Saint Paul bringing Christianity to Europe and has long been Europe's gateway to the Mediterranean and to the east, a role because Cyprus is now again continued to play. Then because you take the presidency in a moment of time and spoke about this in your speech in a decisive moment of time. It's obviously a truly geopolitical year, which is in front of us, Venezuela, Iran, Greenland and still the ongoing talks to achieve peace in Ukraine that is at stake. And we we feel and we know that we need a stronger Europe more than ever before. That's the main task for your time in the lead for Europe, and especially the Cypriot role. To be the bridge builder to the Middle East historically is more needed again than ever before. Already today, six months are in front of us and the Cypriot leadership, and I think this will be a main pillar. And I also would ask you to consider whether we need also a general debate about the functioning of the European Union, whether today's Europe is capable to give a proper answer to the situation we are geopolitically in. On content, the priorities are well said. The EPP family welcomes very much that you prioritise the economic situation in Cyprus.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “Madam president of the European Parliament Commission, Council president, dear colleagues, beginning of 26 and people observing what is going on in politics on geo political level when they listen to media. A lot of Europeans are concerned or probably even scared. We are living in a crazy world and basic questions are back. Basic questions have to be answered. The first basic question I would say is on the table, what do we stand for? Freedom. Democracy in Iran, a regime, a sponsor of terrorism, a murder of its own youth. We need actions that the Revolutionary Guard must be named what it is, and that is a terror organization. Venezuela I met last Thursday in Madrid. Edmundo Gonzalez, the president elect from Venezuela. Even in his family, he has people who were captured who are imprisoned because of their engagement for democratic Venezuela. This House, the European Parliament, nominated the democratic opposition in Venezuela for the Sakharov Prize. Maduro is now out. A dictator is out. That is good news. We look for a democratic future for Venezuela. And then freedom, democracy. You know, we discussed this week about Davos, about Greenland. The tragedy of this week is that I had hoped that we can speak this week about peace in Ukraine. That was my wish. Now it's overshadowed by thousands of other issues. I just want to underline that we do not forget what is happening there. And we stand on the side of the brave people in Ukraine, on the soldiers who are defending our values there.”
  EU-Venezuela relations
• “It is very urgent. The factories are on fire in European industry. Deindustrialization is underway on our continent. So this summit comes at the right time. Now we need to put our foot down. If you look at the facts, then you could see that Apple's stock market valuation is the same as all German companies added together in terms of artificial intelligence investments. The USA is investing six times as much as the EU, and over the last 50 years, six companies have been founded that are now are worth billions, whereas or sorry, trillions even. And not a single European company has been founded with a similar level of development. We are losing time. Now is the time for us to improve our competitiveness. The first issue is to remove the limitations. The omnibus approach has been correct and it remains correct. We're working on the automotive package and as the EPP Group, technology neutrality and climate neutrality have to be brought into line. On the subject of the motor industry, the problem is not just a question of legislation, but it's also a question of bad management. Now we've got a lot of proposals on the table. The sunset clause, that's to say with the agreement with the USA, we have to get beyond our silos. And climate neutrality and energy provision has to be climate neutral. It's going to have an impact on energy costs, but we need to be able to keep going until new money comes through. When it comes to ETFs, we need to be pragmatic when it comes to implementation.”
  EU industrial funding
• “We do not follow this logic. We, as EPP, say yes to the US relationship as the most successful partnership in the world. We know about the numbers 5 billion of goods and services across the Atlantic every single day. 16 million jobs are defending on both sides of the Atlantic on this win win partnership. The 2nd of April is not a Liberation Day. It is a resentment day. Trump threatens the world's best economic model we have established. But what to do now? Europe is 22% of the global GDP. We are the economic powerhouse and the US is 25%. We are equal. A united Europe, as Ursula von der Leyen described it, can defend the interests and we have to do so. And yes, we have a surplus on products, but the US has won on the digital services. So if Trump focuses on the European goods, we have to focus on the American services. The digital giants only pay little to our digital infrastructure where they benefit so much on. And then, dear colleagues, let's act. And not only wait. What happens in America? Growth comes from the single market. Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the issues there, but also from trade agreements, so we have to finalise them. And let me also underline that Mercosur is becoming now a symbol for our readiness to engage with the rest of the world.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “We didn't play a real role there. And now the question for the European Council is on the table. Do we now play a role when we continue to talk about Ukraine? To be concrete from the European Council, we expect that we are clear in financing the weapons, that the Russian assets must be used for this, and also the state. Ukraine needs further support from our side to survive, and we have to find ways on the council side to speak with one voice. We know on European, on global level, we only have one voice or no voice and just one aspect. On the latest development on this, when we see the postponement of possible talks between Trump and Putin, the Budapest consideration in my country, AfD is heavily attacking us, that we need more diplomatic efforts to approach Putin and talk with him and find a way to talk with him again. We can underline that more red carpet than in Alaska is not possible. Even Trump tried it now to please and to invite Putin to come to the negotiation table. So even the right extreme in Europe must understand that Putin has only one interest, and that is destroying our European way of life. Moment of truth is also in front of us and it is about defense.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Mercosur is becoming an anti-Trump agreement and we have to finalise it now. And when we speak about our own actions, we have to work on cutting red tape. President Costa, it is great to hear that cutting red tape is an urgency. But I would invite you also to talk with the Socialist group in this European Parliament, because they are not yet decided whether they follow the speed procedure on the omnibus. In this moment of time, I hope that the socialists also recognize that finally cutting red tape is an important issue. And by the way, where are the friends of Trump in this moment of time? Viktor Orban or Alice Weidel? Have you spoken with Trump in this moment of time with vans and Musks on tariff? I see the populists selling their interests of the European workers in the steel automotive industry, or the farmers in Europe, only to get a picture with Trump. That is what I see every day. And nobody of them is really fighting for the European interests. Dear friends, we will not fuel resentment. Ronald Reagan once said the freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides for economic progress and peace among nations. That's Republican at its best. We will not give up on these words. We want a good deal with the US without losers. With only winners. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “We spend in the next ten years €6.4 trillion as Europeans. That is the same amount of money as the Americans will invest. And that is why I think the expectation from our citizens is that after ten years, we have the same military capacity as Europeans, as the Americans have. That means we have to explore the European added value. The drones initiative, the missile defense, the Sky shield, all the initiatives now presented by the commission. I also want to thank Andrius Kubilius for his efforts are really great steps forward. I want to underline that for me, it is also the moment now to come back to the idea of Adenauer, De Gasperi and Schuman to talk really about the European Army, to do the necessary steps together. And it is also a moment of truth for our competitiveness. Omnibus one will be voted this week in this House. We do it together, But we have to do much, much more. We have to do things that our business feels well, that we are attractive for the best minds on global level to come to Europe. We need urgently growth on European level. That is why single market, and also the idea of an ambitious trade policy is in the center of the EPP.”
  EU competences on defence · Defence spending
• “Madam president of the European Parliament. Madam president of the Commission. Dear commissioners. Dear colleagues, with this motion of censure, we are wasting time. Putin will like it what his friends are doing here. Let us be brief. From my point of view. We will unanimously vote against this motion of censure on Thursday. Corona von der Leyen said in US. We respect and we applaud the Leadership Commission in the last mandate showed to rescue lives. But what this. What this motion of censure means for tomorrow. What really is at risk on Thursday in a few days. Donald Trump tariff pause will end. Millions of jobs are at risk. Where are the MAGA friends in this house? Where is Orban, Salvini and Alice Vidal doing to save the jobs of Europeans? Question mark, I tell you, Mario and von der Leyen are defending the jobs of European. That is why the motion of censure is taking the citizens interests at risk. A second example the future of millions of farmers and mares. Researchers are depending on European funds. Also in Romania. I have to say we need immediately now an MFF proposal. The motion of censure goes against the interests of farmers, mayors and researchers. And the third example Putin is testing us every day. We need a European pillar of defence now. We need it urgently. And Putin's ambitions go much beyond Ukraine. He hates our European way of life. And I know the German AfD and the Romanian order are the puppets of Putin. But why is now peace joining this pro-Russian alliance? I am wondering myself why this is happening. This motion of censure is against the security of Europeans. So we will vote against.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Madam president of the European Parliament Commission Council. Representative. Dear colleagues, a lot is on our table. I want to highlight, from our point of view, two three issues from a content perspective. First is Europe needs urgently economic growth and we know what to do. Simplification started already. Trade is on a good way. Investments. We yesterday agreed on a strong MFF for the future, but the key of everything is the single market, our own economic base. And that is why having the clear projects in mind. 28th Regime Energy Grids, Capital Markets Union after two years of Draghi is now a good moment that in Cyprus we agreed on the roadmap that we have a binding the first time, a binding understanding how to implement with clear milestones the single market strategy until the end of 2007. That's a great step forward and also for us, a responsibility now to deliver. The second thing I want to mention is obviously, in light with the economic developments in Europe, the energy costs, geopolitical situation behind this crisis proves again that we need more sovereignty on our energy supply. Renewable energies are the future, and to fight against climate change is not only an ecological issue, it is obviously an issue for sovereign Europe. So that's why the EPP stands on the side of the ETS one. We want to make it pragmatic in the implementation, but we stick to what we have agreed in the last years. We also have to finalise the energy market, especially with the energy grids package. We have to have a careful look on the fertilisers because that's important and we need nuclear as a base.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “President. Metsola. President von. Mrs. von der Leyen. Representative of the Danish Presidency. Colleagues. This is an important and historic week that we're approaching, and the first thing I have to say is about developments on Ukraine. I hope that on financing for Ukraine, this council will not fail. It will be a historic failure if there were to be no outcome. And I would like to thank our commission president for the alternative she's put forward. The EPP believes in the principle that those triggering this war should, um, stump up also for the consequences. So this is the idea of using the Russian assets to, um, finance the, uh, the costs. And then Belgium has proposed that it should be fed between all Europeans. That's the preferred solution that should be worked on this week. Then we have what's happening in Berlin discussions on, um, curfew, maybe even lasting peace. And it's important that Europe play a leading role, that Europe is sitting at the table and there supports Zelensky, rooted in European solidarity. Now, this started years, decades ago. Um, we saw the Ukrainians calling for democracy and wanting to lead their country towards Europe, which they've done. And then the occupation of Crimea, initially, uh, with military power, Putin is afraid of democracy. And then in 2014. The Europeans, the Germans in particular. We pulled out all the stops not only for appeasement, but all efforts towards appeasement have failed. Now, once a Berlin discussions come to an end, the ball lies in Moscow's court and we'll see what happened. But no one, not even the populists on the on the left and the right, can claim that we haven't tried through democracy.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Uh, we agreed together on the 2040 Aims housing. Yes. We've got things moving there as well, which is going to strengthen Europe and on defence. Uh, we've taken some historic decisions and I think we can ensure our assure our citizens that Europe is delivering is moving forward. We want to achieve solutions and looking towards 2026 for us as the EPP two, two things are important. Obviously, uh, welfare, uh, prosperity is important as well. Um, but it doesn't create markets or a business case. And that means that we have to believe in our own internal market and invest their strength in it from a regulatory point of view, and believe in trade as well. And the second thing colleagues that we need to do is that Europe has been successful on many fronts. But in the discussions with about Ukraine, we're seeing that the European architecture is no longer fit for purpose, that we are not ready to give our own answers. I said this last week as well. I was talking about, uh, the G3 Macron and it's great, can help towards peace. But the meeting of the big three is not Europe. It's not Europe. And that's why we need structures, which in the long term can ensure that the that Europe is present at the negotiating table. And that's what we need to dedicate ourselves to um, in 2026. Happy Christmas to everybody.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “Madam President of Parliament, president of the European Commission. Dear colleagues. This summer was not an easy summer for Europe. It was Alaska, a missing Europe. It was Gaza, totally split Europe. It was a US trade deal. Not easy forest fires. Draghi criticising the economic policy. It was really it was really not easy. And it is now easy to stand here in this plenary and criticise. I think a lot of colleagues after me will do so to criticise the Commission, the Commission president Council I, I will not do like this. I believe we only can win trust If we trust in us. And that is why my first message is that people can count on what EPP promised in the election campaign. We voted in Bucharest for our projects, for our priorities. We won the elections and the commission is now delivering a fleet of omnibuses started. A return regulation is on the table. Safe programme on defence. We have 18th sanction packages and the Tunisian Agreement. And the fence in Greece and Poland are protecting our external border. We have illegal migration numbers reduced by 80%. A lot happened in the last months. It is not perfect at all, but we start to deliver and I want to thank the commission for their work. We are attacked as EPP from the left, that we are to ride from the right extreme that we are too left. But I tell you, we will seriously and decisively continue to deliver content, content, content. That's what counts for EPP.”
  Von der Leyen
• “We'll only win over Putin if we stand together and support Zelensky. The second important point is Mercosur. This week we're exporting continent. We we depend on trade. And China and our partners in the United States are becoming increasingly difficult as trading partners, which means that we need to look for new partners. 400 million people are linked with Mercosur, the biggest free trading area in the world. And so this is a huge Opportunity an anti-Trump agreement. If, um, we could, uh, enter into that agreement, we need to support our farmers. And that's why we support also the safeguards. But I'd like to say clearly that, um, obviously it's not the concerns about market developments we should be concerned about, but we should have opportunities to the fore coming to the fore. Um, industry wants us to go down this path and so safeguards protection, fair competition. Um, and also Mercosur as well. It would be a historic decision and an awful lot is at stake in this decision. Now we're at the end of this year now, and our citizens are going into the new year with a lot of concerns. War in Europe, the question about democracy, many important issues. And therefore it's important to stress that, uh, yes. We are moving forward. Things are happening. We're saying far too little about successes now with the Danish Council. We've made some huge progress with the omnibus as well. Deforestation. The automotive package we were discussing yesterday. Um, we are spending money for the future of our prosperity. And I would like to call on the financial questions of Europe, not only to discuss the, uh, figures, the net, the gross, but also the European value added, where Europe can do more on climate, uh, protection.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “You have 3% GDP growth in 2005, so congratulations for this. So we need, as Apostolos also said, less bureaucracy. We need more single market more trade. On the migration side, the European Union needs further steps to reduce numbers from the Middle East dramatically, and that has to be copied to the rest of Europe. Return regulation was mentioned and probably Cyprus can join Schengen in the next upcoming months, which would also be a great step forward. And on security, you also said it. So because you are also preparing a presidency with all your knowledge, you are well prepared. You are a seasoned diplomat. You are a successful foreign minister. You know how Europe works, how negotiations are built and how trust is earned in Europe. You are a true European leader and that can also help us a lot on European level. So that is why I want to conclude that the presidency brings a lot of hope for Europe. And finally, I want to underline that the presidency also brings a true Cypriot Cypriot issue back on the focus on Europe. As EPP, together with our friends from DC in the country, our position on Cyprus was always clear. Cyprus issues are European issues. There cannot be a truly united Europe without Cyprus, which is united again. That is what is EPP standing for and that is why. Good luck. You have the necessary conditions for strength and for success in the upcoming months. You have the EPP on your side.”
  EU political integration
• “President of the European Parliament. European Commission. Council. Dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, when we open the windows of this plenary today, then we see what is happening in Europe. So, for example, in Germany, half of the job losses in the last year was in the car sector, 50,000 well-paid jobs. It's the same in France, Romania, Spain, Italy. A big challenge this summer. Another reality in Europe. We had a record breaking wildfires in Portugal and Spain. Meanwhile, Trump and XI are stepping out of global actions to fight against climate change is now on our shoulders, but we are quite isolated on global level and Putin is sending his drones towards Europe. Another reality Poland is already shielding our borders in the east. Ukraine warns us more are coming in. Europe must be prepared. That's in a way a short picture about where we are Ukraine, climate change, the future of our economy. So the next European Council must lead. There is no excuse anymore as to deliver. It is a moment of truth in front of us in this autumn, and it is a moment of truth on Europe's global role. So Donald Trump managed to have now a peace agreement in Gaza, and we hope that it will stay. But let us be honest, Europe was in the whole process of the Gaza talks observer.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “Well, the single market has always been an issue, and it is our mission to have faith in the single market. As the commission president has just said, we need courage. We need to move quickly. We need to set milestones. We need to say what has to be done when. The third pillar, of course, is trade. It was a political mistake when the majority in this House referred the Mercosur agreement to the European Court of Justice, you should vote. You shouldn't just simply refer to the Court of Justice. Mercosur could be considered an anti Trump agreement. When Trump wants to close markets down, we want to open them up. And the EPP calls for an immediate implementation of Mercosur. We have decided on safeguards and now it's time to implement. I read in the newspapers that Emmanuel Kron is calling for a strong Europe, a Europe that is capable of competing on the world market, but on the at the same time, he's telling us that Mercosur isn't necessary. I simply don't understand this position. If you want political progress, you have to deal with South America. And not least, the political message is that we have the potential. We have capital. We have 26 million entrepreneurs. We've got €80 trillion of GDP, we've got good infrastructure, and now we just need the political will to make our union competitive. Let's seize this opportunity. Thank you, thank you.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “That's at stake. That's at stake in this moment of time. So what we need is a European answer. We see the increased pressure now from the United States threatening us with tariffs. We, as the EPP are clear enough is enough. The reliability of Washington is in this moment of time, at stake. I was one of the few. The EPP group was one of the few who said, welcome to the Scotland Agreement last summer. Everybody criticized this. I said, it's a good deal, but what is now at stake is can we trust in the compromises we did in Scotland last summer? The reliability is at stake. So for us, as EPP and I think for all parliamentarians, it is clear there will be no ratification, no zero percentage tariffs, access to the European Union for US products. Until we have clarified the question of reliability. And when we speak about partners, we have to say yes to Mercosur. We are not a military power, but we are an economic power, a huge market. And when even Lula and Millie can agree on the idea that together we are stronger as Europeans and South Americans. Then I think everybody must understand what is at stake. So if you say no to Mercosur, Putin will be happy. She will be happy. And also Donald Trump will be happy with different arguments in mind. That's why yes to Mercosur means yes to have good friends, yes to strengthen the European Union. And the third point I want to make is dear friends.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Seriously, everybody recognizes we are living in a new world. And the key question is now are we ready? Are we fit for the purpose? Is the architecture of the European Union ready? And the state of play is. Dear friends, the council can be vetoed by Viktor Orban. We have the E3 now presenting themselves. But I said it several times. E3 is not Europe. We have national responsibility on defence. That means in this moment of time, a weak Europe. And yesterday, Lavrov said in his press conference, US can have Greenland and I take Ukraine and then things are solved. That's a reality. And dear friends. Are we ready? And I have to say, no, we are not ready. Imagine for a second we would have really one voice where unanimity is gone. Imagine for a second we would be in a situation that we are coming back to the founding fathers of the European Union, building up a true defence union in the European Union. Dear friends, we have to stop to discuss the actual tweet and we have to begin to discuss making Europe strong again. That is what is at stake. And populism can only be answered if we solve the problem of the citizens, on economy, on migration. But also the real point is to show leadership. So that's why we have a huge responsibility. Let's reassure freedom and democracy. Let's find new partners in the world, and let's make Europe ready for the future. Thank you.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Autumn, dear friends, will be a moment of truth for us now in Parliament. The legislation arrives on our desk, and the guiding principle for us is responsibility. That is why we will support the US Trade Agreement. I understood that in the INTA committee, a lot of colleagues criticised the EPP was the only group who supported the outcome of Scotland. I do not like to have 50% tariffs. I would like to talk about 0% about ttiP. It was opposed by the left in these times when we discussed it. But what is the alternative to Scotland? A trade war with the US. Responsibility means also to stand here and say yes to Mercosur with a proper safeguards for our farmers. We want to have more of these further agreements with Mexico already presented. India, Indonesia. We have partners who still believe in a rule based trade order in the world. Mercosur is for us, an anti-Trump agreement to show that rule based approach works. And if we refuse Mercosur, we push South America to China. I know defending Mercosur is not popular, but it's responsible, and it is honest to tell it to the people. And speaking about jobs. Last year we lost around 90,000 jobs in the European car industry, 90,000 families. We speak as EPP with trade unions. We speak with the CEOs from the car sector, and everybody tells us we need an ambitious climate approach, but also a realistic one in this moment of time. Whole industries in Europe are dying.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “And that is why I think also the Commission for the Commission Work Programme 26, where you are covering these issues and finally, the link to decarbonisation 2040 target. Dear colleagues, it's Macron, it's Donald Tusk who are going this week to the European Council table and are asking the questions are we ready for the 2040 target? 90% yes or no? I saw yesterday a French Spanish initiative to take the combustion engine question again on the table. So as an EPP leader only can say welcome in the club. We always asked for this. We have to be ambitious but pragmatic in the implementation of the climate change, and that is what we want to see also from the leaders there, the workers in Europe, and also those who are socially not as strong as we are, need a proper answer. That's a transition. Transition in front of us will be not on the cost of social and of job losses in the European Union. That's a moment of truth in front of us. And that is why we feel that it is not business as usual. We as the European People's Party, we are ready to deliver. We do so and I hope that the Council will do the same this week. Thank you so much.”
  Climate efforts
• “I want to thank Ursula von der Leyen for her efforts to work on the 20 points plan. We are ready today for peace. We are ready for diplomacy. We are ready for a compromise. But Putin is continuing to attack the energy infrastructure. Killing civilians is a war criminal and only Putin is not ready for peace. I would love to see also the friends of Putin here in this House who are regularly talking with them to engage, to convince Putin to come back to a consensus and to a common understanding. The good news is that we have finalised now the 90 billion, thanks to the Council and also Parliament is ready to speed up the second basic question. What we have to do is consider is Considers who are our partners. The US president wants to see the US flag in territory of Greenland. That's a shock, frankly speaking. That's unacceptable. We defend Denmark, the Kingdom of Denmark, the integrity, territorial integrity. And who plays with Greenland, plays with NATO. And again, my question is where are the MAGA friends? When Roberta Metsola, at the beginning of the plenary this week, underlined the support for Greenland and the support for Denmark. I saw that from the Patriots, half of the Patriots group stood up and defended the territorial integrity of Denmark, and half of the team kept seated and was obviously on the side of Washington. So the Patriots have to decide whether they want to be real Europeans or they are a colony of Washington.”
  Relations with NATO
• “We have now the first year of this mandate. Let me let us use also today's discussion for more general remarks. We have to clarify from an EP point of view. First, the Esdp will stand for European democracy. We save the lead candidate concept. Von der Leyen is today Commission president, not negotiated behind closed door, but because the EPP won the elections and she was our lead candidate. There is a Teresa Rivera, Stefan and also van der Leyen represent the Balanced Commission based on an election of 200 million voters last year. Secondly, we know where we can build up future in around 90% of all local votes in the last 12 months. We voted together in the platform. That's the truth and that is what we stick to. The third point I want to make. We as the oldest group in that house, we respect its political culture. And the European Parliament is not Westminster. May I remind you, on the last term there was a debate about nature restoration law, about the combustion engine. And yes, the left policies were voted in favour. Without the platform agreement here in this House. And yes, this happens also today. The famous Venezuela resolution. We found a compromise on nearly everything. But finally, the question whether we call Maduro a dictator was a splitting point. We were voting in favour of calling him a dictator. Socialists did not do so. And dear friends, also for the green claim directive on content, a preapproval of all ads from big companies is for us a bureaucratic monster. Others? Others can vote for it. The EPP will not vote for it. And I tell you, that is not misusing democracy.”
  EU political integration
• “Madam president. Madam president, Commissioner, Commissioner. Dear colleagues, the second time in a few weeks. I have to say it. It is becoming a little bit ridiculous. A motion of censure is a serious tool for Parliament, an important right to defend a democratic Europe. Currently, this last resort for Parliament is being misused by you as a simple propaganda tool, and I hope you have collected enough video material now for your French campaign. Obviously taking place here, the EPP. The EPP will vote against the are living in turbulent times war, trade, energy, housing, climate change that are the issues that people care first of all. Also for my group competitiveness. Yes, we can have different opinions, no doubt about this, but we have to work now. We need stability and have to work. And we have a commission exactly doing this, working and delivering. And for us, as EPP, it is clear we support our commission. And let me also thank you personally, all leaders face in this moment of time enormous challenges. Leaders are fundamentally challenged in times of big changes. And that is why. Thank you for your service. We support again our Commission President and also our commission for their work. And it's funny to see that we have today an initiative from the right, right extreme and from the left extreme joining forces. You should consider probably to join in one group, and I have already a group name for this initiative. We can call it w w a. And that is we are against because that is exactly what you are showing every day. You have no idea but showing where you are against. Let me just use one example in your common commitment the US, the US Trade Agreement. You know, when we speak about the US trade deal, you both criticized it.”
  Von der Leyen
• “I said it on Gaza. Totally split Europe. So how can we change this? Dear colleagues, the idea that national sovereignty exists is a Potemkin village. It is not real. Kohl. Mitterrand. Delors understood this reality on economic terms. They created a single market in the euro. They made us strong. European integration, not revocable. And now Macron, Tusk and all the others must create the same for foreign affairs and for defence to bring the European integration another step forward and make it non-revocable as our Commission president presented today. We cannot allow Orban and Crazy Fitzhugh that they turn the European Union into a foolish organization. Dear colleagues, and just a final point on the nationalists, because we are attacked by both sides. One word to the nationalists at the end. Nationalists here in this House applaud to America First. They are friends of American tech billionaire Tusk. Musk. Musk. Sorry. They are friends. Nationalists applaud to America First, and they are friends of American tech billionaires like Musk. They follow the agenda of the tech money. The reality is nationalists are not patriots. They turn Europe into a colony of Silicon Valley and Washington, even worse of Moscow. And that's why we will never allow this, dear friends, never allow this. We love Europe. We love the European way of life. Europe is not weak. Europe is strong as we make it. And that is why Europe must lead now. We are in front of a European autumn of truth. The EPP is ready.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “My first consultation is where was the then Viktor Orban Le Pen Salvini, when Ursula von der Leyen was fighting for European workers, farmers and businesses, they were silent. Orban was caring about his luxury holiday. Villa Le pen was concerned about the court cases on the table, and Salvini was swimming in plastic floating toys that were the pictures of the PFA representatives during summer. And now you are lecturing us. You are those people who have strong ties with MAGA. So what are you doing for us in this moment of time? So that is my first concentration. The second concentration is about you are telling us that nation state is much stronger than the European Union as a whole. You know, look to Switzerland, they still have 39% of tariffs. Look to the situation there. They have now a fundamental debate about chlorine chicken import with von der Leyen defended 50%. And that's it even for pharmaceutical a big success in the last days. And we made clear that legislation for the European market is made here in this European Parliament, not in Washington, not in Silicon Valley, that it was achieved by under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen and Sefcovic. So thank you for your service in these issues. I will not I will not go in further Content arguments because you are fighting against any trade agreement, against any security architecture, against responsibility in fight against climate change. That's a reality. Pv and left. You both are united in your love of destruction. The EPP loves to build up, to achieve, to construct. We are the party of European integration. We will continue under the leadership of this strong commission. Thank you so much.”
  EU political integration
• “That's the truth. Otherwise sovereignty will not work. And the third point I want to mention is Nikos Christodoulidis in Cyprus. Did the efforts to put the article 42.7 on the table. So the military dimension of our European solidarity. And that's urgently needed. Epp was pushing for a defence committee inside Parliament. We have the first time now a defence commissioner, an EPP friend who is chairing this, and we want to do now the next step clear rules for implementing article 42.7. People see and feel the uncertainty, especially in Cyprus. And Europe has to give an answer. Dear colleagues, that is on content. What I want to mention. Let me finally reflect on two Member States developments which are for us of special importance. First of all, I want to say a word on Romania. Last year, Romanian people voted for their leadership, and I was quite happy that finally the candidate from our didn't become president of Romania, that the pro-European forces fought and they won. And that was an important battle in Romania. Epp and socialists together had the mandate to reform Romania to do the necessary steps, together with the milestones presented by the Commission. Yesterday, socialists and our party together presented a motion of censure against the pro-European stable government and just asked myself why? What is the background of this? What is the reasoning for taking such a government now into question together with aura? I just want to say, if EPP would do the same against the Socialist Prime Minister, to take a Socialist Prime Minister into question together with a right populist party, you know, we would have here thousands of initiatives in the European Parliament.”
  EU competences on defence
• “And why? Let us be honest. Because leaders were afraid about unanimity on the council table. The Orban problem was solved with creating new formats where council president was the only guest and not leading the debate. That is a challenge in front of us. And let me add, dear friends, there was this signal chat scandal in Washington. A lot of people had fun to criticize our American friends about the confidentiality of their communication. But I have to say, on substance, the defense minister of the United States wrote, there in the Red sea, only 4% of US trade is handled, but 40% of the EU trade is handled in the Red sea. And then the Americans have to protect the trade routes against the Houthi rebels. And let us be clear, the Americans are right with this complaint. They are right. And we are not capable to protect in this moment of time, our own interests. That is the real challenge in front of us, next to the big one on the Russian side. So I would say there is still a lot to do, and we have to speed up because the next Trump challenge is already arriving on Wednesday. The big Liberation day. Trump's tariffs are not about free fair trade. They are about fear of trade. And fear is always a bad guide.”
  EU-US relations
• “That's the reality on the ground. We support an ambitious climate approach for 2015, no doubt about this, but we need a technological neutral approach, nuclear energy combustion engine. And we have to screen the legislation on practicability. That is what we have to do, and we have to do it fast. Dear friends, more single market, more flagship projects, more investments, more digital. We all agreed in this House on the Draghi agenda. And now Draghi is asking us what are you waiting for in this moment of time. Socialists, I have to say, voted in the committee against the omnibus for the rejection of the omnibus proposals. And I listened that also Iraq. You said publicly that socialists take the US trade agreement into question. You do not know whether you will support it or not. I tell you, this behavior is splitting the platform. This is exactly what is harming the European agenda. I want to. We have to deliver now and that is why we have to be honest in this plenary. Now, Prime Minister Frederiksen, a socialist leader, stood here in July and presented the agenda for the Danish presidency. She spoke about competitiveness, about stopping illegal migration and security, key pillars. She asked us to be strong on less bureaucracy and migration. There are two sides of the socialist socialists reality. I have to say there is a socialist of Sanchez and there is a socialist of Frederiksen in today's Europe, and I hope that we don't see the Spanish political reality spreading to Europe.”
  Energy transition (state support)
• “Madam president of the European Parliament Commission. President of the Council. Congratulations. A few months ago, it would have had been impossible to see Europe, where we are today. A commissioner on defence, a white paper on defence, a 800 billion package. And isn't it funny? Even the British government wants to be part of joint investments into the future of defence. So a lot is on the way. But let's be honest, we managed only the first step. Borrowing money on the shoulders of the young generation and spending it poorly with national measures. That is necessary, but it is not so difficult. The big things are in front of us. We need further steps. Common procurement to save billions of euros, not only voluntarily because they have never worked, but really obligatory. We need the East Shield also as a common project. It is not only Poland, the Baltic countries who are responsible for this. It is all of us who have to finance this. We need a European flagship. Projects like missile defence, sky surveillance. We need a European defence pillar, which is not revocable as the founding fathers of the euro had in mind when they unified our economies. And there is another challenge. You both commission president and council president, participated in several special meetings in the last weeks in Paris and London. Not the European Council was in the lead, but a structure of the willingness of those who had the will to move forward.”
  EU competences on defence